Source : sports korea + nate + newsen + naver
English Translation: Ode
Kim HyunJoong has signed on to Bae YongJoon's founded agency company KeyEast agency on the 29th, as revealed by Keyeast's representative on the 29th through phone interviews with media presses where DSP was also involved in releasing this batch of news to the presses. Keyeast agency consists of top artistes like Bae Yong Joon, Lee Nayoung, Choi KangHee, Lee Boyoung, Bong TaeGyu, Lee JiAh, Park YeJin, So Yihyun, Hong SuHyun etc.
Keyeast is famous for its know-how tactics in the entertainment world, along with its affiliated company DA (Digital Adventure), it has strong bases for overseas activities especially in Japan, not only that but DATV, a cable channel would also be aiding alongside to help with Kim HyunJoong's all form of promotional activities in various fields.
Keyeast representative Yang Geun-hwan has expressed that they will be approaching with a new step towards this all in order for HyunJoong to display more of his sides as both a singer and as an actor, and this will allow HyunJoong to develop beyond Asia and go towards international.
However, the remaining 4 members of SS501 hasn't yet to decide on their future moves.
For now, Kim HyungJoon will still be doing his job as DJ through SBS' 'Music High', whilst Heo Young Saeng, Kim Kyu Jong,Park JungMin are taking rests, until then it hasn't been decided for where they would land up in (which agency company etc).
However, there have also been sayings according to some entertainment world sources that in this situation now where Kim HyunJoong has moved to a new agency company, there will be considerations for reformation of the group. With reference to various different contacts with new agency as well as related contacts, SS501's team name may be changed from SS501 to SS401, or even SS301. In particular SS301 would consist of Heo YoungSaeng, Kim KyuJong, Kim HyungJun, the Unit group, which is possibly one of the way out, apart from 'Disband' or 'Survival'.
Another possibility is that, the remaining 4 members could also similarly follow Kim HyunJoong's foottracks and sign on to Keyeast, then SS501's survival could be only possible. But of course in this circumstance, they would have the problem of trademark issues with previous agency DSP media (trademark = SS501 trademark) to settle. Whether or not they will be SS401 or SS501, whether to have 4 members or to have 3 members, or whether to add in any new member, nothing has been decided as of yet. But all of them share the same desire -- which is to stay together as SS501.
For the 'disband' solution, it will be the situation where each member decided to hunt for each's agency company in order to concentrate on each's desired field of interest (ie, acting, singing etc), then it would be inevitable that they would be disbanded. That is the case where the entertainment world and fans would most dreaaaaaaad to see.
Adding on to the 'Unit' solution, even if they were to remain in DSP agency, SS501 would survive even if without Kim HyunJoong, in that case, they would then show up as a unit group. But if SS501, without Kim HyunJoong, decides to move to a brand new agency company, then at that time there would also be another possiblity which we cannot rule out of -- which will be the brand new SS501's rebirth.
However through all of these, as much as SS501's future moves and Kim HyunJoong's future moves have attracted about huge attention from everywhere, it was revealed in an exclusive footage by Sports Korea where they made a special discovery that "there will be no official disbanding of SS501".
According to Sports Korea, this was revealed by Kim HyunJoong himself. Despite all the rumours flowing around these days, Kim HyunJoong is obviously aware of it all but yet disclosed to a close friend recently that there will be no official disbanding of SS501. A related close personnel said, "HyunJoong is especially facing alot of perturbance and worrying for his career this year, with the contract issues and such. As far as consideration for his future moves will be seriously pondered over for, he actually at once stated out his basic and firm stand that SS501 will not have any official disbanding. He actually said this really recently. No matter what kind of situation it may be (whatever agency comp it may be), SS501 will remain as what they are".
Though having said that, of course there are also other downside possibilities -- the awkwardness in decision making that they face. If they were to follow after Shinhwa's case and with all members moving to the same agency company, though it is not much of an issue, but in this current generation now, chances might be slim. If they were to follow after GOD's case, with each member moving to other agency companies and carrying out temporary activities, chances might seem to be higher that way.
What's most important would have to be whether or not Kim HyunJoong's current agency KeyEast would be able to ensure SS501's future interests, and this is also what other members is concerned about. Even if the desire of every member to stay together with one another is very strong because it really is, but to have to carry out united projects together, there must be a strong communication bond built between the agency company and the group itself. But according to the words of many showbiz insiders, they have said that the remaining 4 members are currently in serious consideration of seeking out other agency companies instead. Though chances that the remaining 4 move into a new company, they will still nonetheless stay as SS501 as one.
Having said much to that, with regards to Kim HyunJoong's newly recruitment into Keyeast, fans appear to be very much appalled yet given mostly positive responses, stating it's a "good agency". However Kim HyunJoong's desire for the group to still be alive and his statement of "no official disbanding" is very much awaiting to be heard of. Fans have been really concerned about the future moves of SS501 and the remaining 4 members. For the time being, after Kim Hyun Joong has been newly recruited into Keyeast, he is now in an awkward situation of selecting his next work since he has now finished SS501's album promotions.
But did you think he had it easy? It was actually already predicted before today that this decision would be made. Previously before today, Kim HyunJoong and Bae YongJoon were already seen to be meeting up since a long time ago and were often observed to be carrying out small but concise and concentrated talks. Bae YongJoon saw the potential in Kim HyunJoong and so gave several advices to him where Kim HyunJoong looked after to Bae YongJoon as his senior and mentor.
Previously during Kim HyunJoong's 'Love Ya' activities promotional period, it was actually really decided about his recruitment into Keyeast, but due to some differences in his contract fee, they didn't make it official as yet. The reason why he took so long to decide was all due to his loyalty to DSP media, right till the end he was still considering seriously about loyalty to DSP media, until he was able to fully make up his heart for a decision, it was the reason why he took so long to consider.
However, one may wonder about the reasons why Kim Hyun Joong chose Keyeast.
The first and foremost reason is because of his faith in Bae Yong Joon and the agency company itself. Kim HyunJoong had even to the extend of having the nickname of Little Yonsama, and since both of them look so alike, they even strike more similarities with each other especially with the common status as a Hanryu star. While doing a Hanryu event in Japan, both of them had already shared brief moments with each other, what they talked about was with regards to their career in the showbiz circle. Because HyunJoong felt that Keyeast was reliable enough to be depended on, he thus decided for Keyeast agency company. Though the representative of Keyeast agency cannot reveal how much they had signed on with Kim HyunJoong for, but because they both believe in one another, they had signed on to a long-term contract. Where the CEO of Keyeast has taken a mouth of speech, he disclosed that he actually doesn't know how much Kim HyunJoong has received as his contract fee, but he stresses that Keyeast isn't such a company to give millions and billions of heavenly amount just to recruit celebrities that way -- both parties signed on to the contract with the faith that their long-term support towards one another will be greater than the value of money.
Second important reason is that Kim HyunJoong wishes to reinforce his role as an actor. Keyeast company is afterall a resourceful and effective company who has connections business-wise with MD sales as well as in the management and production field. Keyeast is currently in-charge of production for new drama 'Dream High' along with JYP Entertainment run by Park JinYoung. 'Dream High' is a high-budgeted drama that will be internationally acclaimed. It was said that Bae Yong Joon saw the acting potential in Kim HyunJoong more than what he saw in the Kim Hyun Joong as a singer / performer on stage; that was what he told Kim HyunJoong, and Kim HyunJoong strongly felt the same way about himself too, which was also possibly one of the important reason why he had a greater will to sign on with Keyeast. Having said that, with regards to Kim HyunJoong's acting career, he probably have to classify his resume in the acting field as a 'solo activity' category. Yang Geun-hwan representative has said that HyunJoong's next work is currently in midst of discussion, and it seems like HyunJoong will be first starting off his activities in Keyeast as an actor, rather than as a singer.
Last but not least reason, it is because of HyunJoong's desire in wanting to have wider Hanryu activities. Kim HyunJoong isn't just a Hanryu star in Korea, but also throughout Asia. Because Bae Yong Joon is not just a great businessman, but he is also very much highly-acclaimed in the Japan markets, to the extend that he even released many MD sale products like Bae Yong Joon Dosirak, KimChi, Essay album promoting the lovelies of Korea, etc which sold like hot cakes all the time, all these business know-hows could seem to be like a motivation for Kim HyunJoong to want to exceed Bae Yong Joon. Though Kim HyunJoong worried alot about finding the right agency company incorporating all with an effective agency yet one that'd not losing balance with acting etc, he finally decided for Keyeast where his role model is in, and it's all because of his desire in wanting to strike bigger and bigger from there as a celebrity.
Also on the other hand, about Kim HyunJoong's original participation in upcoming October scheduled SBS drama "Athena", a personnel of producer company Taewon Entertainment has revealed that though HyunJoong has the strong will to partake in the drama and though they also made changes just for him, in the end this drama fell through for him, exactly because he hasn't had settled his contract issues, it wouldn't have seeemed appropriate to discuss at that kind of time. Kim Hyung Joon who has left a message on the last 21st of June with the message "Don't worry. Five of us are as one forever" seemed to have directly hinted at a survival of SS501.
DSP media has last but not least expressed that the remaining 4 members are taking their temporary break for the time being and will try to discuss for their future moves from there.
Fans who have expressed their desire of a never-disbanding of SS501 as well as netizens who wishes for SS501 to stay together are very much supportive of SS501's unison in future.
Seems like Kim HyunJoong's new recruitment into Keyeast and SS501's future moves have indeed aroused about a huge wind of concern everywhere.
